System operative to adaptively select an image sensor for decodable indicia reading

ABSTRACT

A decodable indicia reading system can be provided for use in locating and decoding a bar code symbol represented within a frame of image data. The system can comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a memory communicatively coupled to the CPU, and two or more image sensors communicatively coupled to the CPU or to the memory. The system can be configured to select an image sensor for indicia reading by cycling through available image sensors to detect an image sensor suitable for an attempted indicia reading operation by comparing a measured parameter value to a pre-defined sensor-specific threshold value. The system can be further configured to select the first suitable or the best suitable image sensor for the attempted decodable indicia reading operation based upon the comparison result. The system can be further configured to notify the system operator which image sensor has been selected. The system can be further configured to obtain a decodable indicia image by the selected image sensor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to image data processing in general andspecifically to an image data processing system comprising two or moreimage sensors.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART

Some of commercially available decodable indicia reading and decodingsystems (portable and stationary data terminals, and other datacollection systems) include a digital color camera and a dedicatedmonochrome image sensor intended for bar code reading. However, suchsystems lack the image sensor selection functionality for performingdecodable indicia reading.

Therefore, a need exists to provide a system and method for selecting animage sensor for decodable indicia reading.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, there is provided a decodable indicia reading systemcomprising a central processing unit (CPU), a memory communicativelycoupled to the CPU, and two or more image sensors communicativelycoupled to the memory and/or the CPU. The system can be configured toselect an image sensor for indicia reading by cycling through availableimage sensors to detect an image sensor suitable for an attemptedindicia reading operation by comparing a measured parameter value to apre-defined sensor-specific threshold value. The system can be furtherconfigured to select the first suitable or the best suitable imagesensor for the attempted decodable indicia reading operation based uponthe comparison result. The system can be further configured to notifythe system operator which image sensor has been selected. The system canbe further configured to obtain a decodable indicia image by theselected image sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features described herein can be better understood with reference tothe drawings described below. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principlesof the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicatelike parts throughout the various views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components of oneembodiment of the decodable indicia reading system according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating exemplary components ofone embodiment of the data collection system according to the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a method foradaptively selecting an image sensor for reading decodable indicia by adecodable indicia reading system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, there is provided a decodable indicia reading systemoperative to adaptively select an image sensor. A block diagramillustrating exemplary components of the decodable indicia readingsystem according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment,the decodable indicia reading system 100 can include a CPU 1060 incommunication with a memory 1085 via a system bus 1500. The memory 1085can include one or more of a volatile memory 1080, e.g., RAM, anon-volatile memory 1082 e.g., ROM and a long-term storage memory 1084,e.g., a hard drive, a CD, a floppy and/or a flash memory device. Memory1080, memory 1082, and memory 1084 can be regarded as recording medium.

In one aspect, the decodable indicia reading system 100 can include atrigger 1110, a pointer mechanism 1120, a keyboard 1130, and a display1140. Each of the devices 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 can becommunicatively coupled to system bus 1500 for communicating with theCPU 1060 via respective interfaces 1108, 1118, 1128, and 1138.

In another aspect, the decodable indicia reading system 100 can includea communication interface 1210 for communicating with externalcomputers. The communication interface can be provided by a wire linecommunication interface (e.g, an Ethernet interface or a USB interface)or a wireless communication interface (e.g., an IEEE 802.11-compliantwireless communication interface or a Bluetooth interface). The system100 can include more than one or more communication interfaces 1210.

In one embodiment, the decodable indicia reading system 100 can beprovided by a portable data terminal (e.g., bar code reading terminal).In another embodiment, the decodable indicia reading system 100 can beprovided by a stationary data terminal (e.g., a cash register). Askilled artisan would appreciate the fact that other form factors andapplications of the decodable indicia reading system 100 are within thespirit and the scope of the invention.

In another aspect, the decodable indicia reading system 100 can be partof a data collection system, e.g., a data collection system 10000 shownin FIG. 2. At a local facility 1000 there can be disposed a plurality ofimaging reading terminals configured in accordance with system 100. Inone example, local facility 1000 can be provided by a retail store. Inanother example, local facility 1000 can be provided by a warehouse. Inanother example, local facility 1000 can be provided by a health carefacility. In one example, local facility 1000 can be provided by apersonal residence. At local facility 1000 there can be included server200 external to data terminal 100. In a further aspect, terminals 100and server 200 can be in communication with a remote server 400 vianetwork 300 which can be e.g., a TCP/IP network. Server 400 can bedisposed at a facility 4000 remote from facility 1000. In a furtheraspect, one or more client computers 500 can also be included in thedata collection system 10000. Client computer 500 in one embodiment canbe provided by e.g., a desktop personal computer and laptop personalcomputer a smart phone e.g., IPHONE by Apple Computers, Inc., BLACKBERRYSTORM by Research in Motion Limited.

By virtue of their including at least a central processing unit (CPU)1060 in combination with a memory 1085, each of the data terminal 100,server 200, and client computer 500 of the data collection system 10000can be regarded as a “computer.” Each computer of the data collectionsystem 10000 can be configured in accordance with the TCP/IP protocol sothat each computer of the data collection system 10000 can be in IPnetwork communication with each other computer of the data collectionsystem 10000. While the data collection system 10000 in one embodimentis described as having the elements 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, the datacollection system 10000 can be implemented in such manner as to haveless than all of the noted elements, e.g., only one of the notedelements.

In another aspect, the decodable indicia reading system 100 can includetwo or more imaging assemblies. In one embodiment, the system 100 caninclude first and second imaging assemblies 1630 and 1730. In a furtheraspect, the imaging assembly 1630 can be provided by a monochromeimaging assembly and the imaging assembly 1730 can be provided by acolor imaging assembly. A skilled artisan would appreciate the fact thatdecodable indicia reading systems comprising three or more imagingassemblies are within the spirit and the scope of the invention.

In a further aspect, the imaging assembly 1630 can include an imagesensor pixel array 1612, a monochrome image sensor 1610 and an imaginglens assembly 1620 for focusing light onto image sensor pixel array1612. Imaging assembly 1630 can have an imaging axis 16. The imagesensor 1610 can include a monochrome image sensor pixel array 1612having a plurality of monochrome pixels disposed in a 2D arraycomprising a plurality of rows and columns In a further aspect, theimage sensor pixel array 1612 can be devoid of color filters so thatpixels of array 1612 are sensitive to light in substantially allwavelengths in the visible spectrum.

In a further aspect, the image sensor 1610 can be provided in an imagesensor integrated circuit having output processing circuitry foramplifying and digitizing image signals output by image sensor pixelarray 1612. For capture of a frame of image data, image signalsrepresenting light incident on pixels of array 1612 can be read out ofimage sensor pixel array 1612, digitized and stored into system volatilememory 1080. Prior to performing the read out operation, pixels of array1612 can be exposed during an exposure period. Signals for control ofimage sensor 1610, e.g., readout and exposure signals can be input byinterface 1608 which can be communicatively coupled to system bus 1500for providing communication with CPU 1060. In one embodiment, theinterface 1608 can be provided by a Media Control Processor (MCP)interface.

Imaging terminal 100 can be operative so that terminal 100 captures aframe of image data responsively to trigger 1110 being actuated. A framecaptured into memory 1080 prior to further processing by CPU 1060 can beregarded as a raw frame of image data.

In a further aspect, the imaging assembly 1730 can include an imagesensor pixel array 1712, a color image sensor 1710 and an imaging lensassembly 1720 for focusing light axis. Imaging assembly 1730 can have animaging axis 17. Image sensor 1710 can have color image sensor pixelarray 1712 having a plurality of color pixels disposed in a 2D arrayhaving a plurality of rows and columns In one embodiment, terminal 100can be configured with suitable optics so that imaging axis 16 can becoincident with imaging axis 17. However, in another embodiment,terminal 100 can be configured so that imaging axis 16 and imaging axis17 are spaced apart from one another. Terminal 100 can be configured sothat axes 16 and 17 can extend in directions that are parallel to oneanother as shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, terminal 100 can beconfigured so that axes 16 and 17 extend in directions that arenon-parallel with respect to one another. In one specific embodiment,terminal 100 can be configured so that imaging axis 16 extends forwardlyfrom terminal 100 and imaging axis extends downwardly from terminal 100.Imaging axis directions herein are given as directions from an imagesensor array toward a target being subject to image capture. In oneembodiment, terminal 100 can be configured so that imaging assembly 1630and imaging assembly 1730 define respective fields of view that at leastpartially overlap.

In another aspect, the image sensor 1710 can be provided in an imagesensor integrated circuit having output processing circuitry foramplifying and digitizing image signals output by image sensor pixelarray 1712. For capture of a frame of image data, image signalsrepresenting light incident on pixels of array 1712 can be read out ofimage sensor pixel array 1712, digitized and stored into system volatilememory 1080. Prior to performing the read out operation, pixels of array1712 can be exposed during an exposure period. Signals for control ofimage sensor 1710, e.g., readout and exposure signals can be input byinterface 1708 which can be communicatively coupled to system bus 1500for providing communication with CPU 1060. In one embodiment, theinterface 1708 can be provided by a Media Control Processor (MCP)interface.

In one embodiment as set forth herein imaging assembly 1630 can be amonochrome imaging assembly having a monochrome image sensor 1610, andimaging assembly 1730 can be a color imaging assembly having a colorimage sensor 1710.

In another embodiment as set forth herein, image sensor 1610 can beprovided by a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor 1620 and imagingassembly 1630 can be a hybrid monochrome and color imaging assembly 1630having a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor 1620 while imagingassembly 1730 is a color imaging assembly having a color image sensor1710 as set forth previously herein.

Where imaging assembly 1630 is provided by a hybrid monochrome and colorimaging assembly, image sensor 1610 can be provided in an image sensorintegrated circuit having output processing circuitry for amplifying anddigitizing image signals output by image sensor pixel array 1612. Imagesensor pixel array 1612 can be a hybrid monochrome and color imagesensor array having a first subset of monochrome pixels without colorfilter elements and a second subset of color pixels having colorsensitive filter elements. For capture of a frame of image data, imagesignals representing light incident on pixels of array 1612 can be readout of image sensor pixel array 1612, digitized and stored into systemvolatile memory 1080. Prior to performing the read out operation, pixelsof array 1612 can be exposed during an exposure period. Signals forcontrol of image sensor 1610, e.g., readout and exposure signals can beinput by interface 1608 which can be communicatively coupled to systembus 1500 for providing communication with CPU 1060. In one embodiment,the interface 1608 can be provided by a Media Control Processor (MCP)interface.

In one embodiment, terminal 100 can comprise more than two imagingassemblies, e.g., can comprise a first imaging assembly having a hybridmonochrome and color image sensor, a second imaging assembly having acolor image sensor devoid of monochrome pixels and a third imagingassembly having a monochrome image sensor devoid of pixels having colorfilter elements, and an Nth imaging assembly being configured similarlyor differently from one of the first, second, or third imagingassemblies.

Image terminal 100 can be operative so that terminal 100 captures aframe of image data responsively to trigger 1110 being actuated. A framecaptured into memory 1080 prior to further processing by CPU 1060 can beregarded a raw frame.

In another aspect, for attempting to decode a bar code symbol, e.g., aone dimensional bar code symbol, the decodable indicia reading system100 can process image data of a frame corresponding to a line of pixelpositions (e.g., a row, a column, or a diagonal set of pixel positions)to determine a spatial pattern of dark and light cells and can converteach light and dark cell pattern determined into a character orcharacter string via table lookup. Where a decodable indiciarepresentation is a 2D bar code symbology, a decode attempt can comprisethe steps of locating a finder pattern using a feature detectionalgorithm, locating matrix lines intersecting the finder patternaccording to a predetermined relationship with the finder pattern,determining a pattern of dark and light cells along the matrix lines,and converting each light pattern into a character or character stringvia table lookup. In one embodiment, the decodable indicia readingsystem 100 can be operative to capture a frame of image data and processthe frame for attempting to decode the frame responsively to anactuation of trigger 1110. When processing a color frame of image datafor attempting to decode a decodable indicia, the system 100 can firsttransform the color image data into monochrome image data. Suchtransformation can comprise utilizing image data from only a singlechannel of pixel positions (e.g., by interpolating pixel values for blueand red pixel positions utilizing pixel values at green pixel positionsso that an all green frame is output, which can be regarded as amonochrome frame of image data).

In one embodiment, the decodable indicia reading system 100 can,responsively to an actuation of the trigger 1110, capture a frame ofimage data and subjects image data of a frame to a decode attempt. Also,responsively to an actuation of the trigger 1110, the decodable indiciareading system 100 can format image data of a captured frame into astandard image format, e.g., BMP, PDF, JPG, TIF and can transmit theformatted image file to an external computer, e.g., server 200, server400, client computer 500.

One embodiment of a physical form factor of the decodable indiciareading system is shown in FIG. 1. Components described with referenceto FIG. 1 can be disposed within portable hand held housing 110 and canbe supported within a portable hand held housing 110. Referring tofurther aspect of the data collection system 10000, each of server 200,server 400, and client computer 500 can include components describedwith reference to the decodable indicia reading system 100. In someinstances, the decodable indicia reading system 100, server 400 andclient computer 500 can have devices in addition to those shown inFIG. 1. In some instances the servers 200, 400 and client computer 500can have components deleted relative to those shown in FIG. 1 (forexample, the server 200 can be devoid of a display 1140 and imagingassemblies 1630, 1730).

As noted herein supra, the decodable indicia reading system 100 caninclude two or more imaging assemblies. In one embodiment, a firstimaging assembly can be provided by a monochrome imaging assembly and asecond imaging assembly can be provided by a color imaging assembly. Theinventors found that using the monochrome image sensor for decodablereading in some situations (e.g., low ambient light) would produce abetter signal to noise ratio. However, in other situations (e.g., forparticular color spectral contents of the image) a better signal tonoise ratio (and, hence, better decode success rate) can be obtainedusing a color image sensor.

In another embodiment, a first imaging assembly can be provided by animaging assembly with a lower resolution than that of a second imagingassembly. The inventors found that using the lower resolution imagesensor can be advantageous in some situations, since the imageprocessing time and the amount of memory required for the processinggrows exponentially with the image resolution. Hence, the lowerresolution image sensor can be preferred in time-critical ormemory-critical applications.

The selection of an image sensor which is more suitable for theattempted decodable indicia reading operation can be based uponcomparing a measured parameter value to a pre-defined value.

In one embodiment, the sensor selection parameter can be provided by adecoding time required to locate and decode the decodable indicia usingthe captured image. As noted herein supra, for some time-criticalapplications, the decoding time can be a threshold factor in decidingwhether an image obtained by a selected image sensor is acceptable forfurther processing.

In another embodiment, the sensor selection parameter can be provided bya required exposure time. High exposure values can be unacceptable forportable form factors of the decodable indicia reading system 100, andhence, the image sensor selection can be based upon comparing therequired exposure time to a pre-defined threshold value.

In another embodiment, the sensor selection parameter can be provided bythe ambient light intensity. The sensor selection can be performed bycomparing the ambient light intensity to a pre-defined value, since fora given image sensor the exposure time dependence upon the ambient lightintensity can be a known function.

In another embodiment, the sensor selection parameter can be provided bya signal to noise ratio obtained in the decodable indicia image. Thesensor selection can be performed by comparing the signal-to-noise ratioto a pre-defined value.

In another aspect, measuring the sensor selection parameter value can beperformed as part of an attempted decodable indicia locating anddecoding operation. Should the attempted locating and decoding operationfail, the image sensor selection method can be performed as describedherein supra.

In another embodiment, measuring the sensor selection parameter valuecan be performed without obtaining the decodable indicia image.

One embodiment of the method for adaptively selecting an image sensorfor reading decodable indicia by a decodable indicia reading systemaccording to the invention is now being described with references toFIG. 3.

At step 310, the counter J of available image sensors can be initializedwith the value of 1. In one embodiment, at least one image sensor can beprovided by a monochrome image sensor, and at least one image sensor canbe provided by a color image sensor. In another embodiment, at least twoof available image sensors can provide different image resolutions. In ayet another embodiment, at least two of available image sensors canprovide different signal to noise ratios.

At step 320, a value of a sensor selection parameter can be measuredusing a J-th image sensor. As noted herein supra, the sensor selectionparameter can be provided by a decoding time, a required exposure time,an ambient light intensity, and/or a signal to noise ratio. A skilledartisan would appreciate the fact that measuring values of two or moresensor selection parameters is within the spirit and the scope of theinvention.

In one embodiment, measuring the sensor selection parameter value can beperformed as part of an attempted decodable indicia locating anddecoding operation. In another embodiment, different sensor selectionparameters can be used for different image sensors.

At step 330, the measured parameter value can be compared to apre-defined sensor-specific threshold value for the J-th sensor. If themeasured parameter value is greater than or equal to the pre-definedthreshold value, the method can branch to step 380; otherwise, themethod can continue to step 340.

At step 340, the counter J of available image sensors can be incrementedby 1.

At step 350, the counter J can be compared to the number of availableimage sensors. If the value of J is less than or equal to the number ofavailable image sensors, the method can cycle to step 320. Otherwise,the method can continue to step 370.

At step 370, a message to the decodable indicia reading system operatorcan be displayed notifying the operator that a suitable image sensorcould not be found. The notification can also be performed by an audiblesignal or a tactile signal. The method can terminate at step 399.

At step 380, a message to the decodable indicia reading system operatorcan be displayed notifying the operator that a suitable image sensor hasbeen selected. The notification can also be performed by an audiblesignal or a tactile signal.

A skilled artisan would appreciate the fact that the operatornotification steps 370 and 380 are not essential and can be omitted fromthe method implementation.

At step 390, a decodable indicia image can be obtained by the J-th imagesensor. The image can be further processed to locate and decode thedecodable indicia.

The method can terminate at step 399.

A small sample of systems methods and apparatus that are describedherein is as follows:

-   A1. A decodable indicia reading system comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU);

a memory communicatively coupled to said CPU;

two or more image sensors communicatively coupled to one of: saidmemory, said CPU;

a hand held housing in which the two or more image sensors are disposed;wherein said system is configured to select a suitable image sensor foran indicia reading operation by cycling through said two or more imagesensors and comparing a measured value of a parameter to a pre-definedsensor-specific threshold value for each of said two or more imagesensors;

wherein said system is further configured to notify an operator of saidsystem about selecting said suitable image sensor; and

wherein said system is further configured to obtain a decodable indiciaimage by said suitable image sensor.

-   A2. The system of A1, wherein said suitable image sensor is the best    suitable image sensor for said indicia reading operation.-   A3. The system of A1, wherein said parameter is provided by one of:    a decoding time, a required exposure time, an ambient light    intensity, and a signal to noise ratio.-   A4. The system of A1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two    or more image sensors is provided by a color image sensor.-   A5. The system of A1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two    or more image sensors is provided by a monochrome image sensor.-   A6. The method of A1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two    or more image sensors is provided by a hybrid monochrome and color    image sensor.-   A7. The system of A1, wherein said first image sensor of said two or    more image sensors is configured to provide a first image    resolution, and said second image sensor of said two or more image    sensors is configured to provide a second image resolution; and

wherein said second image resolution is greater than said first imageresolution.

-   A8. The system of A1, wherein said first image sensor of the two or    more image sensors is configured to provide a first signal to noise    ratio, and said second image sensor of the two or more image sensors    is configured to provide a second signal to noise ratio; and

wherein said second signal to noise ratio is greater than said firstsignal to noise ratio.

-   A9. The system of A1 further configured to notify said operator by    at least one of: an audible signal, a visual signal, a tactile    signal.-   B1. A method for adaptively selecting an image sensor for reading    decodable indicia by a decodable indicia reading system including    two or more image sensors that are disposed within a hand held    housing, said method comprising the steps of:

(i) for each image sensor of said two or more image sensors determiningwhether said image sensor is suitable for an attempted indicia readingoperation by comparing a measured value of a parameter to an imagesensor-specific pre-defined value;

(ii) performing at least one of: (a) conditionally branching to step(iii) upon detecting a second image sensor for which said step ofcomparing yields a pre-defined result, and (b) selecting a second imagesensor for which said step of comparing yields the best result among allimage sensors of said two or more image sensors;

(iii) obtaining a decodable indicia image by said second image sensor.

-   B2. The method of B1, wherein said step (iii) is preceded by a step    of notifying an operator of said decodable indicia reading system    about said second image sensor having been selected for an attempted    indicia reading operation-   B3. The method of B1, wherein said parameter is provided by one of:    a decoding time, a required exposure time, an ambient light    intensity, and a signal to noise ratio.-   B4. The method of B1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two    or more image sensors is provided by a color image sensor.-   B5. The method of B1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two    or more image sensors is provided by a monochrome image sensor.-   B6. The method of B1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two    or more image sensors is provided by a hybrid monochrome and color    image sensor.-   B7. The method of B1, wherein said first image sensor of said two or    more image sensors is configured to provide a first image    resolution, and said second image sensor of said two or more image    sensors is configured to provide a second image resolution; and

wherein said second image resolution is greater than said first imageresolution.

-   B8. The method of B 1, wherein said first image sensor of the two or    more image sensors is configured to provide a first signal to noise    ratio, and said second image sensor of the two or more image sensors    is configured to provide a second signal to noise ratio; and

wherein said second signal to noise ratio is greater than said firstsignal to noise ratio.

-   B9. The method of B2, wherein said step of notifying is performed by    at least one of: an audible signal, a visual signal, a tactile    signal.-   C1. A method for adaptively selecting an image sensor for reading    decodable indicia by a decodable indicia reading system including    two or more image sensors, said method comprising the steps of:

(i) obtaining a decodable indicia image by a first image sensor;

(ii) attempting to locate and decode a decodable indicia within saiddecodable indicia image;

(iii) conditionally, upon said step (ii) failure, performing thefollowing steps (iv)-(vii):

(iv) measuring a value of a parameter for said decodable indicia image;

(v) for each image sensor of said two or more image sensors excludingsaid first image sensor, determining whether said image sensor issuitable for an attempted indicia reading operation by comparing saidvalue to an image sensor-specific pre-defined value;

(vi) performing at least one of: (a) conditionally branching to step(vii) upon detecting a second image sensor for which said step ofcomparing yields a pre-defined result, and (b) selecting a second imagesensor for which said step of comparing yields the best result among allimage sensors of said two or more image sensors;

(vii) obtaining a decodable indicia image by said second image sensor.

-   C2. The method of C1, wherein said step (iv) is preceded by a step    of notifying an operator of said decodable indicia reading system    about said second image sensor having been selected for an attempted    indicia reading operation-   C3. The method of C1, wherein said parameter is provided by one of:    a decoding time, a required exposure time, an ambient light    intensity, and a signal to noise ratio.-   C4. The method of C1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two    or more image sensors is provided by a color image sensor.-   C5. The method of C1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two    or more image sensors is provided by a monochrome image sensor.-   C6. The method of C1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two    or more image sensors is provided by a hybrid monochrome and color    image sensor.-   C7. The method of C1, wherein said first image sensor of said two or    more image sensors is configured to provide a first image    resolution, and said second image sensor of said two or more image    sensors is configured to provide a second image resolution; and

wherein said second image resolution is greater than said first imageresolution.

-   C8. The method of C1, wherein said first image sensor of the two or    more image sensors is configured to provide a first signal to noise    ratio, and said second image sensor of the two or more image sensors    is configured to provide a second signal to noise ratio; and

wherein said second signal to noise ratio is greater than said firstsignal to noise ratio.

-   C9. The method of C2, wherein said step of notifying is performed by    at least one of: an audible signal, a visual signal, a tactile    signal.

While the present invention has been described with reference to anumber of specific embodiments, it will be understood that the truespirit and scope of the invention should be determined only with respectto claims that can be supported by the present specification. Further,while in numerous cases herein wherein systems and apparatuses andmethods are described as having a certain number of elements it will beunderstood that such systems, apparatuses and methods can be practicedwith fewer than or greater than the mentioned certain number ofelements. Also, while a number of particular embodiments have beendescribed, it will be understood that features and aspects that havebeen described with reference to each particular embodiment can be usedwith each remaining particularly described embodiment.

We claim:
 1. A decodable indicia reading system comprising: a centralprocessing unit (CPU); a memory communicatively coupled to said CPU; twoor more image sensors communicatively coupled to one of: said memory,said CPU; a hand held housing in which the two or more image sensors aredisposed; wherein said system is configured to select a suitable imagesensor for an indicia reading operation by cycling through said two ormore image sensors and comparing a measured value of a parameter to apre-defined sensor-specific threshold value for each of said two or moreimage sensors; wherein said system is further configured to notify anoperator of said system about selecting said suitable image sensor; andwherein said system is further configured to obtain a decodable indiciaimage by said suitable image sensor.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid suitable image sensor is the best suitable image sensor for saidindicia reading operation.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein saidparameter is provided by one of: a decoding time, a required exposuretime, an ambient light intensity, and a signal to noise ratio.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two or moreimage sensors is provided by a color image sensor.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two or more imagesensors is provided by a monochrome image sensor.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein at least one image sensor of said two or more image sensorsis provided by a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor.
 7. The systemof claim 1, wherein said first image sensor of said two or more imagesensors is configured to provide a first image resolution, and saidsecond image sensor of said two or more image sensors is configured toprovide a second image resolution; and wherein said second imageresolution is greater than said first image resolution.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said first image sensor of the two or more imagesensors is configured to provide a first signal to noise ratio, and saidsecond image sensor of the two or more image sensors is configured toprovide a second signal to noise ratio; and wherein said second signalto noise ratio is greater than said first signal to noise ratio.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1 further configured to notify said operator by at leastone of: an audible signal, a visual signal, a tactile signal.
 10. Amethod for adaptively selecting an image sensor for reading decodableindicia by a decodable indicia reading system including two or moreimage sensors that are disposed within a hand held housing, said methodcomprising the steps of: (i) for each image sensor of said two or moreimage sensors determining whether said image sensor is suitable for anattempted indicia reading operation by comparing a measured value of aparameter to an image sensor-specific pre-defined value; (ii) performingat least one of: (a) conditionally branching to step (iii) upondetecting a second image sensor for which said step of comparing yieldsa pre-defined result, and (b) selecting a second image sensor for whichsaid step of comparing yields the best result among all image sensors ofsaid two or more image sensors; (iii) obtaining a decodable indiciaimage by said second image sensor.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinsaid step (iii) is preceded by a step of notifying an operator of saiddecodable indicia reading system about said second image sensor havingbeen selected for an attempted indicia reading operation
 12. The methodof claim 10, wherein said parameter is provided by one of: a decodingtime, a required exposure time, an ambient light intensity, and a signalto noise ratio.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one imagesensor of said two or more image sensors is provided by a color imagesensor.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one image sensor ofsaid two or more image sensors is provided by a monochrome image sensor.15. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one image sensor of saidtwo or more image sensors is provided by a hybrid monochrome and colorimage sensor.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein said first imagesensor of said two or more image sensors is configured to provide afirst image resolution, and said second image sensor of said two or moreimage sensors is configured to provide a second image resolution; andwherein said second image resolution is greater than said first imageresolution.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein said first image sensorof the two or more image sensors is configured to provide a first signalto noise ratio, and said second image sensor of the two or more imagesensors is configured to provide a second signal to noise ratio; andwherein said second signal to noise ratio is greater than said firstsignal to noise ratio.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein said step ofnotifying is performed by at least one of: an audible signal, a visualsignal, a tactile signal.
 19. A method for adaptively selecting an imagesensor for reading decodable indicia by a decodable indicia readingsystem including two or more image sensors, said method comprising thesteps of: (i) obtaining a decodable indicia image by a first imagesensor; (ii) attempting to locate and decode a decodable indicia withinsaid decodable indicia image; (iii) conditionally, upon said step (ii)failure, performing the following steps (iv)-(vii): (iv) measuring avalue of a parameter for said decodable indicia image; (v) for eachimage sensor of said two or more image sensors excluding said firstimage sensor, determining whether said image sensor is suitable for anattempted indicia reading operation by comparing said value to an imagesensor-specific pre-defined value; (vi) performing at least one of: (a)conditionally branching to step (vii) upon detecting a second imagesensor for which said step of comparing yields a pre-defined result, and(b) selecting a second image sensor for which said step of comparingyields the best result among all image sensors of said two or more imagesensors; (vii) obtaining a decodable indicia image by said second imagesensor.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step (iv) is precededby a step of notifying an operator of said decodable indicia readingsystem about said second image sensor having been selected for anattempted indicia reading operation
 21. The method of claim 19, whereinsaid parameter is provided by one of: a decoding time, a requiredexposure time, an ambient light intensity, and a signal to noise ratio.22. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one image sensor of saidtwo or more image sensors is provided by a color image sensor.
 23. Themethod of claim 19, wherein at least one image sensor of said two ormore image sensors is provided by a monochrome image sensor.
 24. Themethod of claim 19, wherein at least one image sensor of said two ormore image sensors is provided by a hybrid monochrome and color imagesensor.
 25. The method of claim 19, wherein said first image sensor ofsaid two or more image sensors is configured to provide a first imageresolution, and said second image sensor of said two or more imagesensors is configured to provide a second image resolution; and whereinsaid second image resolution is greater than said first imageresolution.
 26. The method of claim 19, wherein said first image sensorof the two or more image sensors is configured to provide a first signalto noise ratio, and said second image sensor of the two or more imagesensors is configured to provide a second signal to noise ratio; andwherein said second signal to noise ratio is greater than said firstsignal to noise ratio.
 27. The method of claim 20, wherein said step ofnotifying is performed by at least one of: an audible signal, a visualsignal, a tactile signal.